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You don’t have to go on vacation to get sun-kissed skin—just a couple swipes of bronzer will do the trick. And while that may sound easy enough, we know that finding the right bronzer for your skin tone and price point can be difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled the best drugstore bronzers ranging from light to dark and everything in between. Oh, and did we mention they are all under $25?
Looking for a matte finish to deepen your existing tan? Or is a shimmery powder more what you’re after? Whatever your preference—a full-on tan or just a bit of a glow—these drugstore bronzers will instantly transform dull skin into a luminous I-just-got-back-from-vacation complexion. Simply brush a bit on your cheeks, forehead, and the bridge of your nose, et voilà.
Read on for our picks of the best drugstore bronzers.
Best Overall: Rimmel Natural Bronzer
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Long-wearing
Customizable
Waterproof
Inexpensive
Not Byrdie Clean or cruelty-free
This warm-toned bronzer is a drugstore staple, full stop. Wear semi-sheer for everyday use or layer it on for a deeply bronzed effect. The powder's formula also claims to be waterproof with a wear of up to 10 hours, which are just a few of the reasons why we love it so.
Coverage Level: Sheer to full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Runner-Up, Best Overall: CoverGirl TruBlend Minerals Bronzer
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Courtesy of Amazon
Gives skin a glow
Baked for a silky texture
Blends into skin seamlessly
A little pricey
A blend of micro-fine pigments, this golden brown bronzer from Covergirl adds radiance to the skin thanks to a subtle dose of shimmer.
Coverage Level: Sheer | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Matte: Nyx Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer
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Courtesy of Ulta
Matte without looking too dry
Shades look natural
Works well for contouring
Contains parabens
With five different shades, all perfectly mixed to mimic a real tan, NYX Professional Makeup's matte bronzer gives off a realistic glow.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Value: Maybelline New York City Bronzer Powder Makeup
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Courtesy of Amazon
Blends easily
Works well for contouring
Matte without looking too dry
Shades are on the lighter side
Formulated with finely milled pigments and whipped cocoa butter, this bronzer has a super soft matte finish that makes it look (and feel!) much more expensive than it actually is. Plus, it doubles as a contour powder, so the possibilities for elevating your look are endless.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Soft-matte | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Streak-Free: Milani Baked Bronzer
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Courtesy of Milani
Baked for a silky texture
Gives skin a glow
Vegan
Could be longer-lasting
We're already big fans of Milani's highlighter here at Byrdie, so it's no surprise that this bronzer delivers a similar lit-from-within glow. Baked on Italian terracotta tiles, it comes in three shades and goes on streak-free for a warm, natural finish.
Coverage Level: Sheer | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fair Skin: Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer
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Courtesy of Ulta
Melts into skin
Pretty packaging
Inexpensive
Could be more pigmented
This cool-toned bronzer may be great for fair skin tones who are afraid of looking orange. Just make sure not to drop the product (it will lift out of the pan), but at this price point, it's a total steal.
Coverage Level: Sheer | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Deep Skin: Physician’s Formula Murmuru Butter Bronzer
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Courtesy of Ulta
Blends easily
Melts into skin
Smells great
Six shades available
A little pricey
A beauty-editor favorite, the cushiony creamy texture of this bronzer makes it super blendable, allowing for a lovely natural finish. Plus, it smells delicious.
Coverage Level: Light | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best With Brush: Pixi Beauty Beauty Bronzer + Kabuki
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Courtesy of Pixi Beauty
Includes kabuki brush
A little goes a long way
Natural-looking shades
A little pricey
Pixi's bronzer in the color Summertime is a great drugstore option for those with fair to light skin. However, we recommend applying said bronzer with a light hand, as a little goes a long way.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 4 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Cream: W3LL PEOPLE Bio Bronzer Cream Stick
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Courtesy of W3ll People
Melts into skin
Blends easily
Long-wearing
A little pricey
If you're looking for a bronzer that will last from morning till night, try a cream bronzer like W3ll People's stick. Not only does this bronzer claim to have major staying power, but it also blends in for a realistic, sun-kissed finish.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 1 | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shimmer: L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer
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Gives skin a glow
Natural-looking shades
Buildable
Strong scent
For a sun-kissed glow ASAP, snag this bronzer from L'Oreal, which has a slight shimmer that never looks unnatural or overwhelming. Plus, it's formulated in three shades for light, medium, and deep skin tones.
Coverage Level: Sheer to full | Finish: Shimmer | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Quad: e.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzer
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Courtesy of elf Cosmetics
Customizable
Shades can be mixed
Includes both matte and shimmer finishes
Not ideal for acne-prone skin
Create a natural glow with this 4-in-1 bronzer compact that is neither dark nor light. Simply add to your face's high points for a glow befitting vacation.
Coverage Level: Sheer to full | Finish: Matte, shimmer | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.6 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What To Look For in a Drugstore Bronzer
Shade
Make sure you choose a bronzer shade that works well with your skin tone to avoid looking orange or creating any harsh lines. Opt to find a bronzer shade that mimics your skin tone when you're tan—and try to make sure it's not too dark or too light. Make sure you check the undertones of the bronzer as well as this can be crucial in finding the right one.
Texture
Do you tend to go for powder formulas or cream? Take what texture you love using into consideration before purchasing. Generally, creams tend to give off a more dewy finish whereas powders are more matte. Both yield the same result, but give off different appearances.